Bandits netminder Danton Brooks turned aside 21 shots to lead his team to a 2-0 win against the Lac La Biche Clippers at the Centennial Civic Centre on Saturday.

The goose egg marked Brooks’ second straight shutout and the third the Bandits have posted in as many contests.

“We played a great game,” said Brooks. “Our D game has improved so much since the beginning of the year. We’re clearing bodies in front of the net. I’m seeing the majority of the shots. And they’re not getting too many great scoring chances.”

The Bandits (11-6-1) played with a lead for over 59 minutes versus the Clippers (11-6-1) thanks to an early Matt Nieslen strike from in close that beat Nathan Spark five hole.

Jesse Stansfield doubled the advantage on the power play with 4:27 remaining in the first period by firing a snap shot through traffic from the low circle.

The Clippers applied the pressure in the second period only to be denied time and time again by Brooks.

An early third period penalty led to a great scoring chance by Bandits left wing Kyle Tenney off a centering feed from Austin Hope, but Spark was up to the task flashing the leather on a shot from the slot.

Spark came up big again seven minutes into the final frame by stoning Bandits forward Tyler Musgrave with a sprawling save on a one-timer from in close.

The Clippers backup goalie stopped 29 total shots for the loss.

“He played unreal,” noted Brooks. “He kept them in there from the start of the game to the end. I tip my cap to him. He stood on his head for them and I had to do better than him.”

The Bandits win evened the season series between the clubs at one game apiece.

The Clippers took the first game 7-2 early this month in Lac La Biche.

“When we went there we were a little flatfooted, lost our minds a little bit, got into some trouble, and they took advantage,” said Brooks.

“We came back here and played a solid game start to finish. I feel like we got our revenge against them. I can’t wait to play them again. It’s going to be a great series all year.”

The Rustlers gave up three unanswered goals in the opening 25 minutes of their must-win Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Futsal Championships match against the Camrose University of Alberta… more »

In a heated affair the Lloydminster Bandits earned a 6-3 win over the Frog Lake T-Birds in opening-round action of North Eastern Alberta Jr. B Hockey League playoff play at the Civic Centre on Monday… more »